FLOODGATE


Meaning of FLOODGATE in English

ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun

Etymology: Middle English, from flood + gate

1.

a. : a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing a body of water : a sluice gate : sluice ; specifically : the lower gate of a lock

b. : something that acts to restrain an outburst

tears do stop the floodgates of her eyes — Shakespeare

2. : the stream stopped by or allowed to pass by a floodgate : flood

a whole floodgate of facts — John Ward

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.